Chapter 2-Discovery:
"Maestro, I have confirmed that the rumors are true. The key has surfaced. It seems that some betrayers have arranged for the cargo to be transported with the cooperation of Anatoray." Cicada told her solemnly.
Her blue eyes narrowed with anger as she threw a rose head on the floor. How dare they try to take something that belonged to her. The Emperor would pay dearly for his actions. Thinking silently about the proper tribute for his treachery, her impassive face suddenly broke into a cruel, smile.
"The Emperor should be more careful in choosing who his friends are. Let us show him his mistake. Take back some of the croadia units from the fleet that is engaged with the Disith in Norkia. Then retrieve the key, and bring it to me. Destroy any who stand in the way of the guild." She responded coldly.
"You are too forgiving, Maestro Delphine. Shall I retain Lord Dio's warship to handle the matter?" Cicada asked her.
"What a perfectly splendid idea, Cicada. Yes, have Dio's ship take back the units. I'm sure he will find the experience quite fascinating. It will make a wonderful gift for my dear brother. I am sure he will enjoy observing their futile resistance." She laughed aloud, "but it is my wish that you capture the key and return it to me."
"As you wish Maestro." Cicada answered. Turning away from her he left her alone in the room as he continued toward the transporter unit. Having been assigned a mission, he now needed to lead a team to go find and retrieve the key. He would not disappoint Delphine, he knew the fate of those dared.
Delphine got up from her throne clutching the large bouquet of roses in her arm. Her need to discover the mysterions was more urgent than ever, now that the key had been discovered. Looking ahead at the swirl of gray winds that howled alongside the guild ship, she fell into pensive thought. Pressing her free hand against the clear window she continued to look out into the gray void uttering softly, "My most precious of things, soon I will bring you the key and you will awaken from your slumber. Only I know what it is you are, soon we shall continue the unknown miracle and the guild's position will be sealed forever. We will be the untouchable future."
Meanwhile news of the four ships being sunk by the guild in the skirmish between the Anatoray and Disith had already reached the Emperor's ears. "Foul tempered witch. I should have known she would betray us." The Emperor hissed.
"Majesty, with Maestro Delphine leading the guild, it unknown which way the wind of fate will blow" Marius responded. "She is fickle by nature, this action is a retaliation for something which must have displeased her."
"Retaliation, we have done nothing which could constitute an offense, Marius. We cannot afford to have the Guild working against us. The Maestro taunts us as if this were a game. Only by gaining control of Exile can we hope to destroy both the Disith and the Guild and bring an end to this war."
"Majesty I have secured the cargo as we planned. We must be patient, we cannot afford to let the Guild realize that we have discovered the key. I fear that we may already be too late. The Maestro is shrewd and cunning, if she has discovered that the key exists all may be lost."
